Photo: 123RF
Marlborough has secured the award for the sunniest region in New Zealand for 2024.
It comes after NIWA released its annual climate summary for the year, which saw an ongoing warming trend locally, and around the world.
Marlborough took the crown with 2769 hours of sunshine recorded in Blenheim, ahead of Nelson and Bay of Plenty, which came as no surprise to Blenheim mayor Nadine Taylor.
"Marlborough is consistently one of the sunniest places in New Zealand and it's very pleasing to see us back at number one again," she said.
"It's wonderful news to receive at the beginning of a new year."
Taylor expressed commiserations to second-placed Nelson, and revealed her friendly wager of a wine bottle on the result with mayor Nick Smith.
"Certainly, no bitterness, but a friendly rivalry with Nelson, she told Morning Report. "Me and Nick knew that Nelson and Marlborough were probably going to arm-wrestle this one out, so we put a friendly bottle of wine, one of Nelson's finest, and one of Marlborough's finest on the outcome.
"So, looking forward to receiving that but all in good spirit."
While sunshine does not always mean hot temperatures, Taylor said it does help uplift the community's spirit
"You throw open the curtains and you see blue sky on a sunny day, and we've had so many of those in the last year - I'm rather chuffed we've managed to take this one for 2024."
It has been almost 10 years since Marlborough won the award, which Taylor said is testament to New Zealand summers, with the award often going somewhere in the top of south.
If you are looking to visit Marlborough, Taylor revealed how she would make the most of the sunshine.
"You can't go past the Marlborough Sounds on beautiful sunshiny day, but you also can't go past sitting out in one of the beautiful vineyards in the Wairau Valley and Awatere Valley and just soaking in the sunshine and the good vibes that come with it," she said.
She said Marlborough is a great place to live, work and visit, with a wonderful climate, great communities and beautiful landscapes.
Taylor said it is also particularly welcome news after the reopening of the storm-damaged Kenepuru Road just before Christmas.
"This is yet more positive news for our visitor sector."
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